Jazz Bastard Podcast

We've done vocalists before, but never devoted an episode to the Chairman of the Board. Now we have, so that's off the bucket list. Listen as the boys discusses five of fantastic Mr. Frank's platters, and opine where newbies should get to know this cultural shibboleth. Frank Sinatra - SWING AND DANCE WITH FRANK SINATRA, IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS, CLOSE TO YOU, I REMEMBER TOMMY, FRANCIS ALBERT SINATRA AND ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM.

A common canard about jazz is that the acoustic variety was unsaleable during the 1970s, and while there's a germ of truth in it, lots of exceptions prove that particular rule. This podcast looks at three releases from the early seventies and a little-known English gem from the late sixties. Two of the releases are tasty treats from Manfred Eicher's ECM label, though Mike has a more graphic way of putting it. Mike Taylor – TRIO; Bennie Maupin – JEWEL IN THE LOTUS; Catalyst – PERCEPTION; Paul Bley – OPEN TO LOVE.

As this Spring’s Record Store Day flood of releases floats past our wondering eyes on the stream of time, Pat and Mike discusses four selections you might want to pluck out of the metaphoric water to add to your own collections. Let’s hope we don’t damp your enthusiasm too much. Among other insights, we learn the piano tuner at the Jazz Showcase didn’t have perfect pitch, because he didn’t exist. Michel Petrucciani – KUUMBWA; Cecil Taylor – FRAGMENTS; Mal Waldron – STARDUST AND STARLIGHT AT THE JAZZ SHOWCASE; Buster Williams – PINNACLE.

The boys take a peek at four releases from 2025 sprawling all over the map. If you ever wondered what would happen if Dave Brubeck met an African percussion ensemble, you're about to find out. You'll also find out why evocations of the "young lions" period gives Pat PTSD, how a vocalist / trumpeter's new release deals with actual trauma, and why putting more sugar on your frosted flakes still won't help you catch up with a mononym keyboard wonder-woman. Domo Branch – HAND OF GIFTS; Raphael Pannier – LIVE IN ST. LOUIS, SENEGAL; Hiromi – OUT THERE; Emma Jean Thackray – WEIRDO.

Every now and then the boys bring vocal albums into the mix, but vocal group albums - now those are rarities. This time they take on two, at as opposite ends of the soul spectrum as it's possible to get. There's still room for releases led by instrumentalists, this time by a somewhat "out" bassist and a vibraphonist playing with how "in" he can get. Mario Pavone – TOULON DAYS; Andy Bey and the Bey Sisters – ROUND MIDNIGHT; Warren Wolf – SMOOVE VIBES; Dave Holland and Norma Winstone – VITAL SPARK.